The universal appeal of the music of Graceland—including "Homeless," "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes," and "You Can Call Me Al"—proved more powerful and enduring than the political hotbed attending its creation. In 1986, the album sold 14 million copies worldwide, and received universal praise from critics around the globe. Simon and the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed on Saturday Night Live and appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone. Graceland won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1987 and Song of the Year in 1988. The original album has been newly remastered, with five bonus tracks and an audio documentary ("The Story of Graceland”) as told by Simon himself.

"Prior to Graceland, the music of South Africa was largely unknown outside the country, except to a small minority of world music fans."—Peter Gabriel

"Graceland played a greatly significant role in removing the standoffish dread Western culture harbored toward South Africa during its internal struggle against apartheid, humanizing both a country's soul-searching hunger for liberation and its simultaneous outpouring of cathartic creative expression."—Timothy White, Billboard